Pastorini says his book Taking Flak was ‘soul-cleansing’

Dan Pastorini played quarterback in the NFL during an era of rock-hard artificial fields, rock-ribbed defenses and precious few rules protecting passers but emerged with his faculties more or less intact.

And that, he found as he began work on his autobiography, was something of a mixed blessing.

Pastorini, 62, recalls the highs of the Oilers’ Luv Ya Blue era and the lows of five failed marriages, two bankruptcies and a DWI conviction in Taking Flak: My Life in the Fast Lane, written with KILT (610 AM) talk-show host and former Chronicle columnist John P. Lopez.

“There have been some very good memories and some painful ones,” Pastorini said. “I had a situation with my brother-in-law where he stole money from me. There was a boating accident (that resulted in two deaths). Talking about lost loves, talking about old friends and teammates, that was a fun memory. So there’s a mixture of the good, bad and ugly.”

Pastorini began work on Taking Flak, the product of about 42 hours of taped conversations with Lopez, in the wake of an April 2010 arrest in Bryan-College Station. He pleaded guilty but in the book details extenuating circumstances, including the possibility he was drugged by patrons of a bar where he took what he said was his last drink.

The book begins with Pastorini’s upbringing in California and college career at Santa Clara, and about one-half is devoted to his years (1971-79) with the Oilers, from 1-13 seasons through the bone-crushing encounters against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Luv Ya Blue spawns a cult

Pastorini also discusses his request to be traded from the Oilers; his legal battles with Raiders owner Al Davis; relationships with the likes of model June Wilkinson, his first wife; actress Farrah Fawcett; his post-football career in drag racing and his struggle for resolution with his daughter, Brahna.

“I talk about a lot of deep stuff in my life, and I had to contemplate whether I really wanted to answer some questions,” Pastorini said. “I told John, ‘Don’t ask me a question unless you want to know the truth, because I’m going to be blatantly honest.’ … It was kind of soul-cleansing.”

Pastorini today runs a food-service company – Dan Pastorini’s Quality Foods – and has come to appreciate fans he once resented for booing him.

“People in this city are very supportive and very caring,” he said. “I was very misunderstood, and I misunderstood them. And for that, I’m sorry. But now, with the Luv Ya Blue people, it’s like a cult. I’m just sorry there’s no Oilers team to identify with. We don’t identify with the Titans. I identify with the Texans because I live in Houston.”

Long and winding road to a better life

With a promising business and a stable personal relationship, Pastorini said he is in a good place in life.

“Somewhere in life you have to have satisfaction, you have to have peace, and I believe I’m at that point,” he said. “Success is a journey, not a destination, and the journey continues.

“A trainer once told me I would have the world by the tail. I didn’t realize I was grabbing the tail of a tiger. There were setbacks, bankruptcies, drug problems, drinking problems, relationship problems, but along the way you do reach that point.”

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. Pastorini, talked about how the NFL game of football has changed, answered questions and talked about himself, Farrah Fawcett , Al Davis and Bud Adams and Earl Campbell. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

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Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. Here Pastorini talks about how the window for a quarterback to throw to open receiver is much bigger than when he played. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 3 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 4 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 5 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 6 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 7 of 19

Dan Pastorini talked about how the NFL game of football has changed, answered questions and talked about himself, Farrah Fawcett, Al Davis and Bud Adams and Earl Campbell.

Dan Pastorini talked about how the NFL game of football has changed, answered questions and talked about himself, Farrah Fawcett, Al Davis and Bud Adams and Earl Campbell.

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 8 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 9 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 10 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 11 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month. less

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this ... more

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

Image 12 of 19

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month.

Former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini talks at the CBS Radio 19th-Floor studios, 24 Greenway Plaza in Houston, TX about his story to John Lopez in a book, "Taking Flak," that is coming out this month.

Photo: Thomas B. Shea / For the Chronicle

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Dan Pastorini waves to the crowd before the start of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium, Oct. 30, 2011.

Dan Pastorini waves to the crowd before the start of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium, Oct. 30, 2011.

Photo: Karen Warren / Chronicle

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Houston Oilers QB Dan Pastorini kneels on the turf as one of his intercepted passes is run back for a touchdown by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 1, 1973.

Houston Oilers QB Dan Pastorini kneels on the turf as one of his intercepted passes is run back for a touchdown by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 1, 1973.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Former Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini is seen during a game in 1976.

Former Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini is seen during a game in 1976.

Photo: Chronicle File

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Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini throws a pass.

Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini throws a pass.

Photo: Chronicle File

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Houston Oilers Quarterback Dan Pastorini salutes a crowd of Luv Ya Blue fans in the Astrodome. More than 50,000 Oiler fans packed the dome for a rally after the Oilers lost the 1976 AFC title game in Pittsburgh. less

Houston Oilers Quarterback Dan Pastorini salutes a crowd of Luv Ya Blue fans in the Astrodome. More than 50,000 Oiler fans packed the dome for a rally after the Oilers lost the 1976 AFC title game in ... more

Photo: Chronicle File

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Dan Pastorini quarterbacked the OIlers through some of their darkest hours during their 37-year run in Houston.

Dan Pastorini quarterbacked the OIlers through some of their darkest hours during their 37-year run in Houston.